Bill > SB1740

This bill comprehensively reorganizes and updates various aspects of the School Code, with the primary goal of reducing and streamlining mandates while reorganizing and updating educational requirements. Here is a summary of the key provisions: This bill makes numerous changes to Illinois school district regulations, primarily focusing on reducing and reorganizing educational mandates. It establishes a new School Code Mandate Reduction Council to evaluate and assess current mandates in the School Code, with the goal of modifying, combining, or eliminating outdated, duplicative, or unnecessarily burdensome requirements. The council will include representatives from various educational organizations and will be required to file a report with the General Assembly by October 1, 2026, recommending mandates to be eliminated, modified, or combined. The bill removes several outdated provisions, including specific requirements around social science learning standards, higher education preparation requirements, and certain instructional mandates. It prohibits school boards from discriminating against or punishing students due to their parents' inability to pay fees or fines, and eliminates some specific requirements like mandatory recycled newsprint for student newspapers. The legislation reorganizes various sections of the School Code, creating new headings and restructuring curriculum requirements. It introduces new sections on topics like safety education, health education, online safety, and media literacy. The bill also updates requirements for high school graduation, physical education, driver education, and various specialized educational programs. The bill increases flexibility for school districts by removing some specific instructional hour requirements and allowing more local discretion in curriculum development. It also creates new permissive curriculum sections, meaning schools are not required to implement certain educational programs but may choose to do so if they wish. Additionally, the bill repeals several existing acts and sections of law, including the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act and various specific sections of the School Code that are deemed outdated or redundant. The changes are designed to provide school districts with more flexibility while maintaining core educational standards and removing bureaucratic barriers to effective education.

Education

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1740&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104